North Dakota State's football dynasty
Twenty-four FCS players have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft since the sub-division was created in 1978.
RECENT FCS DRAFT PICKS: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
Here are the highest NFL draft selections in FCS history:
(depending on your device, you might need to swipe or scroll the table. The scroll bar is at bottom.)
| OVerall Pick | Athlete | College | Position | Year | NFL Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Carson Wentz | North Dakota State | QB | 2016 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 3 | Steve McNair | Alcorn State | QB | 1995 | Houston Oilers |
| 3 | Trey Lance | North Dakota State | QB | 2021 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 7 | Phil Simms | Morehead State | QB | 1979 | New York Giants |
| 11 | John Thierry | Alcorn State | DE | 1994 | Chicago Bears |
| 16 | Jerry Rice | Mississippi Valley State | WR | 1985 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 16 | Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | Tennessee State | CB | 2008 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 17 | Leonard Smith | McNeese State | CB | 1983 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 17 | John Stephens | Northwestern State | RB | 1988 | New England Patriots |
| 18 | Aaron Jones | Eastern Kentucky | DE | 1988 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 18 | Grey Zabel | North Dakota State | OT | 2025 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 18 | Joe Flacco | Delaware | QB | 2008 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 19 | Lester Holmes | Jackson State | OL | 1993 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 19 | Trevor Penning | Northern Iowa | OT | 2022 | New Orleans Saints |
| 21 | Eric Green | Liberty | TE | 1990 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 21 | Sylvester Morris | Jackson State | WR | 2000 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 22 | Terry Taylor | Southern Illinois | CB | 1984 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 23 | Roynell Young | Alcorn State | CB | 1980 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 23 | Rashard Anderson | Jackson State | CB | 2000 | Carolina Panthers |
| 23 | Tytus Howard | Alabama State | OT | 2019 | Houston Texans |
| 26 | Robert Porcher | South Carolina State | DE | 1992 | Detroit Lions |
| 27 | Shawn Collins | Northern Arizona | WR | 1989 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 29 | Jamain Stephens | North Carolina A&T | OT | 1996 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 29 | Cole Strange | Chattanooga | OL | 2022 | New England Patriots |
All players selected in the first round
